Think Green Live Clean

www.ecoscraps.com/files/2008/10/5565

It seems astonishing that a group of nations built solely on the extraction and distribution of the very substance that has led too much of the demise of planet earth is going to build the world’s first carbon neutral city.Abu Dhabi has planned to build this city, which is set to house 50,000 people, 1,000 businesses and a university. Masdar, as it will be known, will be the first of its kind and hopefully the benchmark for future planned cities worldwide.

One of the obvious challenges facing the city is that it is located in one of the world’s harshest deserts. This suggests that it would require the maximum use of technological support in order to survive. The architects have planned to combine 21^st Century engineering with traditional desert architecture to deliver zero-carbon comfort.

Their plans include using the sun as their biggest asset, and so far they have built the biggest solar farm in the Middle East. They are also experimenting with mirrors in order to capture more of the sun’s heat. The city will have narrow streets and roof over hangs so they can repel any unwanted heat and shade other buildings. Wind towers are also being built in order to draw draughts through the streets without using any energy. Cars will not be permitted in the city as walking or solar vehicles guided by magnetic sensors will be the only form of transportation.

As this concept develops and Masdar becomes inhabited with people, the main issues facing the city will be if it can sustain itself as a carbon neutral city and if its occupants can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle inside its walls.

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